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Literary and historical activities in North Carolina, 1900-1905, Vol. 1

292 Literary and Historical Activities
NATHANIEL MACON.*
THOMAS :m. pittman.
About us on every hand is peace. But the occasion, this
place, these monuments speak of war—a war patriotic in its
beginning, glorious in its conduct, far-reaching in its conse-quences,
which ended the sovereigTity of the King and ush-ered
in the sovereignty of the people and in which a loyal
colony was transformed into the free State of ISTorth Carolina.
The privations and dangers of war gave way to the cares
and perplexities of civil life under new and untried condi-tions.
The foundations of government had been well laid in
constitutions for which existed no precedents of form or
interpretation, but the details and policies of both State and
Xational Governments were literally to be spelled out under
circumstances demanding almost infinite patience and cour-age.
It was inevitable that differences should result in oppos-ing
parties. Visions of empire, of wealth, and position
fixed the fancy of some on a government of power and dignity,
which should be made strong by the control and direction of
the great and wealthy few. To these, constitutions were but
shackles that impeded the progress of brilliant policies and
to be got rid of as far as possible, if not by repeal, then by a
broadness of interpretation which should make all things
possible.
Others saw visions of manhood—self-governing, exalted,
and dignified. To these, constitutions were the safeguards of
liberty—as the strong walls of a city shutting out foes which
threaten its safety. One saw the splendor and luxury of the
few, the other saw the dignity, safety, and the prosperity of
the many. So much being understood, an insight is possible
into the life of the man whose memory we honor to-day.
• Address at Guilford Battle-grround.

292 Literary and Historical Activities
NATHANIEL MACON.*
THOMAS :m. pittman.
About us on every hand is peace. But the occasion, this
place, these monuments speak of war—a war patriotic in its
beginning, glorious in its conduct, far-reaching in its conse-quences,
which ended the sovereigTity of the King and ush-ered
in the sovereignty of the people and in which a loyal
colony was transformed into the free State of ISTorth Carolina.
The privations and dangers of war gave way to the cares
and perplexities of civil life under new and untried condi-tions.
The foundations of government had been well laid in
constitutions for which existed no precedents of form or
interpretation, but the details and policies of both State and
Xational Governments were literally to be spelled out under
circumstances demanding almost infinite patience and cour-age.
It was inevitable that differences should result in oppos-ing
parties. Visions of empire, of wealth, and position
fixed the fancy of some on a government of power and dignity,
which should be made strong by the control and direction of
the great and wealthy few. To these, constitutions were but
shackles that impeded the progress of brilliant policies and
to be got rid of as far as possible, if not by repeal, then by a
broadness of interpretation which should make all things
possible.
Others saw visions of manhood—self-governing, exalted,
and dignified. To these, constitutions were the safeguards of
liberty—as the strong walls of a city shutting out foes which
threaten its safety. One saw the splendor and luxury of the
few, the other saw the dignity, safety, and the prosperity of
the many. So much being understood, an insight is possible
into the life of the man whose memory we honor to-day.
• Address at Guilford Battle-grround.